Police: NC man was texting before he died in wreck

ASHEVILLE, NC (AP) — Police say an Asheville man was texting on his cell phone immediately before causing an accident that killed him and injured two people in another car.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that police said 21-year-old Jefferson Ellis Jr. sent a text message less than a minute before a passer-by called 911 about the wreck Saturday. Authorities say Ellis crossed a center and drove into the path of another vehicle.

Sgt. Curtis Jones says Ellis was not wearing a seat belt.

Jones says cell phone records show Ellis sent a text message about 7:21 p.m. Saturday. A passer-by reported the wreck at 7:22 p.m.

A funeral for Ellis was held Thursday.

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